Caribou Falls

One for the list

Is it plungeworthy?

—feet tall

A waterfall on Caribou River.

Scale12/60

Documentation15/20

Character8/20

The details

Watercourse: Caribou River
Coordinates: 47.46891, -91.03181

Get directions →

About Caribou Falls

Caribou Falls is a waterfall in Minnesota, on Caribou River.

It's fullest after rain, and flow can drop off during dry spells — plan around recent weather.

Plungeworthy rates Caribou Falls 3.5/10 — one for the list. The score weighs its scale, how confidently it's mapped, and its character.

What you'll find

The Caribou River pouring through a rock notch a short stair-stepped walk off Highway 61 — the wayside the crowds skip on their way between Gooseberry and Grand Marais, which is precisely its charm.

Getting there

Trailhead: Caribou Falls State Wayside, Hwy 61
Parking: Small roadside pullout
Road: Paved highway
Hike: 1 mi round trip (moderate — stairs into the gorge)
Heads up: The Superior Hiking Trail crosses the river here; the falls sits just upstream.

When to go

Spring and after rain — a smaller watershed than its famous neighbors, so timing matters more.

Rules & fees

Fee / pass: None posted at the wayside — check signage
Dogs: Leashed
Camping: Tettegouche's Baptism River Campground down the shore
Warnings: Gorge edges and slick rock; the pullout is small and fills on color weekends.

Researched from Wikipedia — Caribou River (Minnesota) · MN DNR — state park rules. Conditions change — verify before you drive. Been to Caribou Falls recently? Post a conditions report below.

Where it is

Before you go

The pin marks the feature, not a trailhead or a legal route in. Some sit on private land or need a real hike, and conditions change with season and rain. Check local access, don't trespass, and never enter water — hot or cold — where it isn't safe.